Angela Mason selected as “Teacher of the Year” at James Clemens High School
MADISON – Angela Mason says she hasn’t received accolades during her teacher career. However, that situation has changed for her at James Clemens High School, where she is “Teacher of the Year.”
Shock was her initial reaction about the award. “The competition was fierce — every single teacher nominated works so hard and does so much for our kids, school and community,” she said.
“I actually asked Dr. Nichols if I was being punked!” Mason said. (Dr. Ed Nichols is Superintendent of Madison City Schools.)
Mason has worked in education for 19 years. She has taught for MCS for four years and previously for 15 years in South Alabama.
“When I had the epiphany to leave Baldwin County, I knew I didn’t want to move linear — I wanted a change and would not move for any other school than James Clemens High School,” Mason said. “And I told that to Dr. Brian Clayton (then Principal at James Clemens) in my interview. MCS is competitive and has an impressive support system; I liked what MCS values.”
Mason believes she has had ‘a good day’ at school “when I know my students can see growth, when they look at their writing and see improvement, when I get to collaborate with someone new and when my ‘D Up Pod peeps’ feel valued.”
“My ‘D Up Pod peeps’ at James Clemens keep me sane — full of laughter, joy and support. They’re my second family,” Mason said.
Mason graduated from the University of South Alabama to earn a bachelor’s degree in English. She returned to college for her teaching certificate from William Carey University. She attended the University of West Alabama, earning a master’s degree in English education.
Her hometown is New Market, still home to many relatives. “The reason why I came to James Clemens — to be closer to my mom,” Mason said. “I travel to James Clemens from Grant every day, over an hour drive. I feel like since I’ve moved back to North Alabama, I’ve become more of myself. And ‘JC’ is home.”
“While I do not have children or grandchildren or a husband, I do have the love of my life . . . my favorite person of 15 years. He is one of the BEST things to happen to me — a true partner,” Mason said.
“I love shoes. And not simply because they’re sparkly or the latest trend (I’m a 90s girl to my whole heart) but because each pair crafts a story, a memory, a spark, a little bit of whimsy. Shoes are the intricate pieces of fabric that fashion my life,” she said.
“I enjoy reading . . . just about anything that piques my curiosity,” she said. Mason also loves all music genres. “I have a playlist for every aspect of my life, including a running monologue in my head.”
Mason’s family and friends are “super important — without them, what am I?”
“The beach is my happy place — where I feel the most alive. I’m lucky to have some pretty incredible girlfriends who simply let me be me,” Mason said. Her favorite color is pink and glitter.
In recent years, Mason has traveled more extensively. “I love to see new cities and experience new cultures and see the sun set from a different state. Italy is on my bucket list in the next few years.”
“I’m trying to re-learn how to play piano, which was a lot easier when I was 10. I’d absolutely love to learn how to play the drums,” Mason said. “I collect mugs, flamingos, snow globes and whatever trinket my students gift me.”
